KNUST students demo turns violent

The protest by students at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology [KNUST] against the school’s authorities over what the describe as an unfair treatment has turned violent.

Students have reportedly resorted to vandalizing school properties.

The administration block has also been raided by students as the glass doors have shattered. Some offices in the building have also been raided by the rampaging students.

The University’s Dean of Student car has also been reportedly burnt by the demonstrators.

Some students have been seen in videos circulating on social media, burning motorbikes belonging to the school’s security as well as blocking roads on campus.

Security posts at the school have also been reportedly vandalised as the school’s security personnel have all vacated their posts.

Police in the region has been subsequently deployed at the University to restore peace and order.

Background

The Students’ Representative Council (SRC) of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) begun its demonstration today [Monday 22nd October] in protest of the university’s management following the arrest of 10 students and one alum of the school.

The executive council of the SRC said the demonstration was necessary to end the management’s neglect of students.

The students were arrested for a holding vigil on campus last Friday without permission according to the school authorities.

One other student who was allegedly manhandled by the internal security is currently on admission at the KNUST hospital.

The KNUST management however justified the arrests.

The University’s Public Relations Officer, Kwame Yeboah, told Citi News the affected students did not seek permission before undertaking the vigil, contrary to the rules of the university.

“The university thinks certain activities in the night should not be entertained. Some other activities are permitted because the students applied for permission. But there was no permission for last Friday’s activity. The students decided to go their own way. They decided not to obey any rules or regulations on campus, and the law doesn’t permit that. So when it happened, the police were brought in,” he said.